Haaland Sidelined for Up to Seven Weeks with Ankle Injury
Manchester City will be without Erling Haaland for up to seven weeks after the striker suffered an ankle injury during the FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. Haaland, who scored in the 2-1 victory, was forced off in the second half and later seen leaving the stadium on crutches with his left ankle in a protective boot. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the timeline for his recovery, saying, "The doctors told me between five and seven weeks. Hopefully, by the end of the season and the Club World Cup, he will be ready."
The injury is another blow for City, who are in a tight race for a Champions League spot and preparing for an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. Guardiola acknowledged Haaland's absence would be difficult, saying, "We don’t have another player with his skills or specific qualities, but we have to adapt." With City's attack built around the prolific forward, the manager emphasized the need for other players to step up and contribute more in front of goal.
If Haaland’s recovery takes the full seven weeks, he could miss key matches, including the FA Cup final should City progress. His return would likely be targeted for the final Premier League game of the season or the Club World Cup in June. Meanwhile, City's injury list continues to grow, adding to an already challenging campaign for Guardiola’s squad.
